Rafter and post structure connection



Feb. 4, 1969 v. L. SPA NE 3,425,720

RAFTER AND k'OST STRUCTURE CONNECTION Filed July 25. 1966 United States Patent 3,425,720 RAFTER AND POST STRUCTURE CONNECTION Victor L. Spane, Rte. 2, Box 79A,

1 Stanwood, Wash. 98292 Filed July 25, 1966, Ser. No. 567,574 U.S. Cl. 28720.92 Int. Cl. F16b 7/00, 21/10; E04c 3/292 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Background This invention particularly pertains to building construction. No known appropriate published prior art can be referenced hereto. A primary problem of the prior art and custom which is solved by this invention is concerned with the production or manufacture on the site by carpenters of ordinary skill of rigid structural joints involving timbers a substantial size, all with rapidity and accuracy and having substantial strength under loads.

Description The principal object of this invention is the provision of an overhanging rafter and post structural connection which is simple to prefebricate and easy to use in the field and which avoids requiring high degrees of skill by the workmen.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear during the course of the following description of a structure embodying the principles of the invention. The exact details are shown by way of illustration and it is not intended to thereby limit the invention, the scope of the invention being properly comprehended from the sub-joined claims.

In thedrawings:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic view of a rafter and post structurally connected according to this invention;

FIGURE 2 is an exploded perspective view detailing the components of the structural connection;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the assembled connection;

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 4--4 of FIGURE 3; and

FIGURE 5 is a face view of the U-shaped channel member which is a primary component of the connection.

Referring to FIGURE 1, on a suitable base, footing member supports post 12 in an upright position. On the upper end of post 12 a rafter member 14 is rested and supported in a common plane. The rafter 14 is usually disposed in a sloping manner and at an obtuse angle to the upright axis of post 12. Rafter 14 may in any suitable manner be joined at the crown 16. Its outer end 18 extends beyond and overhangs and forms an cave support outward of post 12. Channel member 20 effectively connects members 12 and 14 in a predetermined angular relation.

The channel member 20, as may be seen in FIGURES 2, 4, and 5, comprises webs 22 and 24 each having outer marginal flanges 26 and 28. The webs and flanges are provided with perforations 30 for the reception of fastening devices such as nails and the like. Webs 22, 24 also have inner marginal flanges 32 and 34, respectively, disposed opposite to and extending in the same direction as'flanges 26 and 28. It will be seen that web 22 and flanges 26 and 32 constitute in cross-section a channel U-shaped member. Likewise web 24 in flanges 28 and 34 constitute a second U-shaped channel section. The two webs and their flanges at the meeting points are rigidly joined together so that the connector 20 in reality constitutes an angular U-shaped member. For purposes of additional stiffening useful to meet certain severe conditions, the inner flanges 32 and 34 are each on occasion provided with instanding flanges 36 disposed normal to flanges to which they are attached. Flanges 32, 34 are disposed parallel to the plane of the webs 22 and 24 respectively and preferably are offset therefrom the thickness of the timbers being used. It will be apparent that flanges 26, 28 preferably are less wide than the timbers are thick.

The upper end of post 12 is provided with a bevel at 13 which is the same, as to angularity, as the slope of the rafter 14 thus forming the acutely angled nose 15. Thus bevel 13 receives the rafter 14 and provides a full surface bearing for the same. Aligned with the outer face of post 12, rafter 14 is provided with a slot or kerf 40 which is upright and parallel to and substantially in line with the outer surface of the post 12. Thus kerf 40 is at'an angle to the axis of rafter 14 and provides acute angle 41 and obtuse angle 42.

When the connector 20 is overlaid on the joint between members 12 and 14 an upper portion of flange 26 is disposed in and firmly engaged by the kerf orjslot 40. Angles 41 and 42 at the ends of kerf 40 fit into and bear firmly and solidly on the intersurface of flange 26 in line with flange 34, and of the obtuse internal angle juncture of flanges 26, 28. In this manner a substantial amount of force that may be exerted outward on the rafter 14 is received by the connector 20' through the medium of its flange 26 and thence transferred throughout the connector and the joint to the post 12.

Fasteners of the nature of nails 44 or lag screws or the like are introduced to the holes 30 and 31 into the wooden timber to securely and rigidly attach the connector element 20 to the assembled wooden members.

An arch connected as disclosed herein may be assembled on the ground it tilted up to the erect position. To prepare the timbers all that need be done is to cut for length and bevel post 12 at the top, and to cut for length and provide the cross-slot or kerf 40 in rafter 14. Thereupon the member 20 may be paid in place and fastened.

What is claimed is:

1. A rafter and post structural connection, comprising:

(A) a wooden rafter;

(B) a wooden post angularly disposed coplanar to said rafter in supporting relation therebeneath inward of its outer end;

(C) a metallic U-shaped channel member shaped to incorporate the angle between said] rafter and post, said channel member including web portions having continuous flanges along the edges thereof at right angles thereto, said -Web portions juxtaposed to and extending along common side faces of said rafter and post with said flanges closely engaging and at least partially embracing transversely the inner and outer side surfaces of said rafter and post;

(D) said rafter being provided with a transverse upright slot extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said post, said slot receiving and closely engaging an upper portion of the outer flange of said channel member; and

3 4 (E) fastening means securing said channel member References Cited and said rafter and post together. UNITED STATES PATENTS 2. A structural connection according to claim 1 in Which the inner flange of the channel member is provided 1,016,278 2/ 1912 Kuntz 28720.92 with an inward directed flange normal thereto and sub- 5 5/ 1930 L j y 87 0-92 stantially parallel to the longitudinal axes of said rafter CARL TOMLIN, Primary Examiner and 0st.

p RAMON S. BRITTS, Assistant Examiner. 

